SpaceX is at it again! Yesterday (November 29th), the company conducted another static fire test with the Booster 7 (BN7) prototype at its Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas. The test began at 02:42 p.m. EST (11:42 a.m. PST) and saw eleven of the BN7’s thirty-three Raptor 2 engines fire for 13 seconds. While static fire tests have been the norm these past few months, this latest might be the prelude to the orbital test flight Musk has been hinting at for close to a year. News of the successful test was shared via Twitter, while NASA Spaceflight (NSF) shared footage of the test via Youtube.
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China has 6 astronauts in space for the 1st time
China currently has six astronauts in orbit for the first time as the country carries out a space station crew handover.
Europa Clipper instrument delays worry scientists eyeing 2024 launch
NASA's bold mission to explore Jupiter's icy moon is facing tight schedules getting instruments installed and ready for the planned 2024 launch.
Saturn V, space shuttle Pathfinder up for 'adoption' to aid in artifact preservation
You can now take an aerospace relic under your "wing" and help give it the care it needs. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation has launched an "Adopt an Artifact" program.
Lunar Flashlight principal investigator speaks to Spaceflight Now
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Here's how NASA and Europe will bring Mars samples back to Earth (video)
A new video shows how a team of NASA and European Space Agency spacecraft plan to relay Martian rock samples to Earth.
See the moon visit Jupiter in the sky tonight (Dec. 1)
On the first day of December the moon will appear in conjunction with Jupiter, the solar system’s largest planet.
Solar storm from 'canyon-like' hole in the sun could hit Earth as soon as Thursday (Dec. 1)
The hole could beam solar material outwards at speeds up to 1.8 million mph (2.9 million kph)
Watch an egg fall from near space — and survive (video)
A former NASA engineer and now-YouTuber has created a viral sensation with a video documenting efforts to send an egg to near space to test if it cracks up on landing.
Watch as Artemis 1's Orion spacecraft leaves lunar orbit Thursday
NASA's Orion capsule will perform a crucial engine burn to depart lunar orbit Thursday (Dec. 1) at 4:54 p.m. EST, and you can watch the action live.
Artemis 1 moon rocket aced its debut launch, NASA says
NASA's Space Launch System megarocket hit all of its marks during its first-ever liftoff two weeks ago, agency officials said.
Discover the glitch in the universe with All About Space magazine
All About Space magazine issue 137 explores glitches in the universe and how the laws of physics may have been reversed. Take at look at the latest issue here.
Pillars of Creation (NIRCam and MIRI composite image)
Image: Pillars of Creation (NIRCam and MIRI composite image)
December: Mars in the Spotlight
December's solstice means that for many skywatchers the night will be up to 14 hours long — providing lots of time to enjoy the starry sky. This month’s celestial highlights are the close approach of the Moon and Mars (and, for many, a coverup) on December 7th and the Gemind meteor shower on the December 13th. Our fun and factual Sky Tour podcast provides all the details.
“Good Night Oppy” Beautifully Illustrates the Unbreakable Bond Between Humans and our Robotic Explorers
In January 2004, NASA rovers Spirit and Opportunity (aka “Oppy”) landed in two completely different locations on Mars. Their missions were only designed to last 90 sols (approximately 90 Earth days), but they exceeded these parameters, and then some. While Spirit lasted until 2010, Opportunity lasted another astonishing eight years, when it sent its last transmission to Earth in June 2018. During its more than 14-year tenure on the Red Planet, not only did Opportunity gain celebrity status as being the longest serving planetary robotic explorer in history, but it helped reshape our understanding of Mars’ present and past. Now with the help of Amazon Studios and available on Amazon Video, we can re-live the adventure of this incredible rover with Good Night Oppy.
Do Exoplanet Scientists Have Favorite Exoplanets?
Exoplanets have become quite the sensation over the last decade-plus, with scientists confirming new exoplanets on a regular basis thanks to NASA’s Kepler and TESS missions, along with the James Webb Space Telescope recently examining exoplanet atmospheres, as well. It’s because of these discoveries that exoplanet science has turned into an exciting field of intrigue and wonder, but do the very same scientists who study these wonderful and mysterious worlds have their own favorite exoplanets? As it turns out, four such exoplanet scientists, sometimes referred to as “exoplaneteers”, were kind enough to share their favorites with Universe Today!
SpaceX delays launch of Japanese moon lander again, citing rocket issues
For the second day in a row, SpaceX stood down from the launch of Japan's Hakuto-R moon lander to address possible rocket issues. A new target date has not yet been announced.
With a Small Network of Satellites Around Mars, Rovers Could Navigate Autonomously
When it comes to “on the ground” exploration of Mars, rovers make pretty good advance scouts. From Pathfinder to Perseverance, we’ve watched as these semi-autonomous robots do what human explorers want to do in the future. Now, engineers are studying ways to expand rover exploration on Mars. One thing they’re thinking about: communication satellite constellations for Mars surface navigation.
As Sisko returns in IDW's new flagship 'Star Trek' series, writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly weigh in (exclusive)
IDW "Star Trek" comic book writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly dish on the new Star Trek series starring DS9's Benjamin Sisko.
Scientists Send Quantum Data Through a Simulated Wormhole
For the first time, scientists have created a quantum computing experiment for studying the dynamics of wormholes — that is, shortcuts through spacetime that could get around relativity’s cosmic speed limits.
SpaceX rocket trouble postpones Japanese moon lander launch
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket stands vertical on pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station ahead of a launch attempt with ispace’s Hakuto-R Mission 1 lunar lander. Credit: SpaceX
SpaceX is expected to roll a Falcon 9 rocket back into its hangar at Cape Canaveral for troubleshooting, postponing the planned launch of a Japanese commercial moon lander for an unspecified period. SpaceX provided no details about the reason for grounding the rocket.
